Anthrax Not New to Mississippi

Stoneville, MS - In September of 1991 anthrax was confirmed in whitetail deer in Sunflower County near Ruleville, Mississippi. Ten deaths of deer also occurred in Leflore County and five occurred in Tallahatchie County that same year due to anthrax. It was suspected that similar deaths of deer that had occurred in other counties that same year was caused by anthrax. No deaths in Mississippi's deer population due to anthrax have occurred since 1991.

Anthrax is an acute, infectious, bacterial disease that can be fatal to
deer, cattle and humans. "It (anthrax) is usually a soil-borne infection and major changes in soil moisture, such as extreme wetness or extreme drought, can cause the bacteria to proliferate and become available to be ingested by deer," said James L. Cummins, a wildlife biologist and Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Soil and water can also become contaminated from diseased animals. Susceptible animals can contract the disease by drinking and feeding in the contaminated area. Scavengers and predators can transmit the bacteria; although much less common, bloodsucking insects can too.

"Only a few parts of the world are free from anthrax and it has caused significant die-offs of white tailed deer in virtually all states in the United States. Once deer have the disease, they appear dull and apathetic, lose coordination (stagger) and become stiff legged. Bloody discharges from the nose and anus are common signs. Deer with anthrax usually die within 48 hours," continued the Wildlife Mississippi Director.

Whenever sick or dead deer are observed, no attempt should be made to move or examine the animal. One should notify a local conservation officer. As has been reported recently, humans are highly susceptible to the disease, which in extreme cases can be fatal if not treated.

In 1881 Louis Pasteur developed an effective vaccine for anthrax. Anthrax is an excellent example of a wildlife disease that has been controlled by vaccination. From 1962 through 1967 almost 20,000 bison in Canada were rounded up by helicopters and vaccinated.

The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, or Wildlife Mississippi as it is commonly called, is a private, charitable, conservation organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing fish, wildlife and plant habitat in the 82 counties of Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.